Looking at them, Albert felt a sudden sense of déjà vu, as if he’d heard these same words somewhere before, in another time, another place. A moment later he realized where, that this was almost exactly the conversation he’d had with the Head of the Employment Department, when he’d been grilled about filing SUE’s petition.

The Praetor was glaring at Gideon. ‘Silence! You know as well as I do that this is not how a challenge is issued! If Vail would be leader, then where is he?’

‘Vail has no need to come himself. The law states that he needs twenty people to speak for him to issue a challenge. We are twenty, and we speak for Vail. We demand a reckoning.’

‘You are in no position to demand anything! Only Vail may make that request!’

‘Vail has empowered us, the people, to speak on his behalf on this matter.’

The Praetor turned around, glancing at Father, who nodded. ‘I would hear them out, Praetor.’

The Praetor held his eye for a moment then turned back around to Gideon. ‘Well, Gideon? What has Vail told you to say on his behalf?’

‘It is not Vail who has told us what to say but we who—’

‘Save the sermons for your choir, Gideon! Say what you came here to, and soon!’

‘Very well,’ said Gideon smoothly. ‘Despite the obvious bias you display, Praetor—’

‘You dare accuse me of prejudice?’

‘Yes, I dare, so hold your peace and let me speak! Despite the clear partiality you show towards those in power, Vail has the greatest respect for the laws of Sanctuary. Which is why he has chosen to step forward and stake his claim. He wishes for a reckoning, and he wishes for it tonight!’

‘Tonight?’ said the Praetor incredulously.

‘Tonight?’ echoed June and Ucho, both looking at Father, who stood there serenely, his face revealing nothing of what he thought.

‘Yes, tonight. And—’

‘Vail has lost his mind!’ said the Praetor. ‘It cannot be tonight!’

‘Why not? As the challenger, Vail has the right to request the time of reckoning. He requests tonight and—’ The rest of what he said was lost in the murmurs of the crowd all around, an explosion of individual reactions that somehow became a collective.

‘Father won’t agree!’

‘’E’s gotta! Think ’e’s afraid?’

‘Vail’s gone bonkers!’

This and several other more colourful pronouncements floated around, while the Praetor and Gideon locked eyes in an old-fashioned game of Stare Me Down. Finally, the Praetor broke the silence.

‘It cannot be done,’ he said flatly. ‘Both candidates have the right to address the people before the reckoning. It is Father’s right to choose whether to speak before or after Vail. Even if he does agree to speak first, there is still not time for them both. Now, had Vail not been arrogant enough to send his minion instead of coming himself—’